Devices, systems, and methods for closing a wound

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to medical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to devices, systems, and methods for closing a wound, such as a tissue defect resulting from an endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection procedure. In one example, a device for closing a wound may include a closure element having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, the closure element configured to be disposed about an endcap of an endoscope in a delivery configuration. A release filament may have a distal end releasably coupled to the closure element and a proximal end extendable within the endcap. The closure element may be configured to substantially close about the wound in the deployed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for closing a wound, comprising:
 a closure element having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, the closure element configured to extend circumferentially over and around the exterior of an endcap of an endoscope in the delivery configuration and having a first terminal end and a second terminal end spaced apart from each other and positioned over the exterior of the end cap, the first terminal end having a first protrusion configured to engage tissue and the second terminal end having a second protrusion configured to engage tissue; and 
 a release filament having a distal end releasably coupled to the closure element and a proximal end extendable within the endcap; 
 wherein the deployed configuration of the closure element is a shape-memory configuration configured to substantially close about the wound in the deployed configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the closure elements that are each separately and releasably coupled to the release filament in the delivery configuration about the end of the endoscope. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory configuration of the closure element is a coil, a knot, or a torus, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second protrusion is configured to puncture tissue. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the tissue-puncturing protrusions are hooks, tines, or barbs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory configuration of the closure element is activated by a stimulus, the stimulus comprising light-activated, heat-activated, or electrically-activated, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the release filament comprises a loop. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the release filament has a tensile strength that is greater than a tensile strength of the closure element. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the shape memory configuration, the closure element is configured to encircle the wound.